In a chilling escalation, Fitnah al-khawarij, as declared by the state, stormed Government High School Shama Zan Kot in Tehsil Shewa, North Waziristan, issuing direct threats to teachers and students. They warned that all government schools in the region must shut down immediately, threatening deadly consequences if classes continue from Monday.
According to local sources and a video released by khawarij, the attackers were local men, not foreign fighters, and were clearly identifiable in the footage. One of them, masked but claiming to be a former student of the same school, addressed teachers respectfully as “my teachers”—but followed this with a barrage of violent threats.
“You are our teachers—I studied here, and these standing around me taught me,” the speaker said in Pashto and Urdu. “But since the government has targeted and demolished the homes of ”Mujahideen”, we will now target government property. Listen carefully: from Monday, no school in Shewa Tehsil will remain open.”
The speaker explicitly banned the presence of non-local teachers, stating that outsiders would not be tolerated. He added that if their demands were ignored, khawarij would resort to drone attacks, claiming to have access to six drones.
“If any non-local teacher returns, or even a local teacher dares to teach, we will carry out actions beyond human limits,” khawarij warned. “We swear, if you defy us, we will not even spare your homes. Our drones will strike there.”
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The video also cited the Pakistani military’s operations in the area, accusing the government of destroying the homes of terrorists and rendering them homeless for years. Khawarij claimed that unless the military stops its operations and shelling, the educational system in Shewa would be paralysed for the next 15 years.
“This is an order from our Amir,” the speaker added. “Until the government halts its mortar shelling, all government schools—whether for boys or girls—will remain shut. Any teacher seen in Shewa after Monday will be crushed like a snake.”
The explicit naming of villages such as Pech and Saif Ali Kabul Khel, and local references in the video further confirmed the speaker’s connection to the area, making the threat immediate and credible.
Fear Grips Locals, Teachers Consider Quitting
The video has sparked widespread fear and confusion across North Waziristan, especially in Shewa. Teachers—particularly those from outside the district—are reportedly considering resignation or temporary withdrawal, fearing for their safety. Parents, too, are reluctant to send their children to school under such dire threats.
One local teacher, speaking anonymously, said:
“We have faced threats before, but this is different. They’re local, they know us, and now they’re threatening drone strikes? We’re terrified.”
Authorities Silent So Far
As of the time of publication, no official response has been issued by the provincial or federal authorities. Security agencies have not commented on whether any protective measures are being implemented for schools or staff in Shewa Tehsil.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and education rights activists are demanding urgent action to safeguard the region’s already fragile educational infrastructure.
“This is not just a threat to teachers—it’s a war on the future of the children of Waziristan,” said an activist with a local education NGO. “The state must not abandon these communities again.”
Education Under Fire
North Waziristan has long been a battleground between khawarij and the state, with schools—especially those educating girls—frequently targeted. While military operations had reclaimed some stability in recent years, this latest video suggests a resurgence of khawarij influence in the area.
The government now faces a critical test: to either defend the right to education in one of Pakistan’s most vulnerable regions or risk allowing fear to once again silence the classrooms of Waziristan.
